Shelter frame with transverse member

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a foldable frame for supporting a shelter, e.g., a tent or awning, including a supported tent cloth, top transverse rod, auxiliary top rods, and vertical rods connected to the auxiliary top rods. The frame of the utility model is simple in structure and convenient to use, and the usable area of a shelter supported by the frame can be increased even though the number of rods is not increased.

FIELD

The utility model relates to outdoor leisure products, and particularlyto a shelter frame.

BACKGROUND

Collapsible shelters (e.g., tents or awnings) are among the leisureproducts which are ever prepared for outdoor use. However, as for arelatively large tent or awning, it is required for several persons tounfold the tent or awning successfully due to its bulky and heavynature. Accordingly, various supporting structures have been designed tofacilitate unfolding the tent or awning.

As outdoor equipment, the tent has currently become an essential itemfor people who enjoy outdoor and leisure activities like traveling,camping, or the like to experience nature. Currently there are varioustents for outdoor applications. There are large and small tent sizes,and square, round, and hexagonal shapes. The tent primarily includes atent cloth and a tent frame for supporting the tent cloth. The commontent frame generally includes several groups of supporting rods or polesthat connect to a top rod. The top rod provides support for the top ofthe tent. However, the tent known in the art has the followingdrawbacks. Tents are usually complicated in structure. In some tents, apivoting seat is arranged at the top of the tent to connect several tenttop rods for the purpose of unfolding the tent and increasing its usablearea. However, such a tent is relatively heavy and large area tentsrequire many supporting rods. It is difficult and time consuming tosupport and put up such tents. Besides, the manufacturing cost isincreased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram for a frame of the utility model in use;

FIG. 2 is a structural diagram for the frame of the utility model in anunfolded state;

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram for the frame of the utility model in ahalf folded state;

FIG. 4 is a structural diagram for the frame of the utility model in afurther folded state;

FIG. 5 is a structural diagram for the frame of the utility model in afolded state; and

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram for the frame of the utility model in ahalf folded state, depicting alternative three-way connectors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The utility model will be described hereinafter in detail with referenceto specific embodiments to provide a further understanding of thetechnical solution of the utility model.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a collapsible shelter in accordance with oneembodiment. The shelter includes a frame 1 connected to a cloth 2 thatcooperates with the unfolding and folding of the frame.

In one embodiment, frame 1 includes a straight, top transverse rod 11having first and second ends at a top portion of frame 1. First andsecond auxiliary top rods 13 connect at a first (inner) end to the firstend of top transverse rod 11 through a first three-way connector 12. Thefirst ends of third and fourth auxiliary top rods 13 connect to thesecond end of top transverse rod 11 through a second three-way connector12. Three-way connector 12 allows top transverse rod 11 and auxiliarytop rods 13 to fold toward one another in a first direction to fold theframe into a folded state. A second (outer) end of the first, second,third, and fourth auxiliary rods 13 are connected respectively to afirst end of first, second, third, and fourth vertical rods 15respectively through first, second, third, and fourth connectors 14.Vertical rods 15 may be comprised of telescopic sleeves. In oneembodiment, top transverse rod 11 includes multiple sections, (e.g., amulti-section rod) (FIG. 4), comprising a first transverse section and asecond transverse section, and a connector (not shown) disposed betweenthe first and second transverse sections. A multi-section rod allows thespace at the top portion of a shelter supported by frame 1 to beextended when frame 1 is in an unfolded state, and compressed when frame1 is in a folded state. The sections of top transverse rod 11 aretelescopic in the embodiment of FIG. 4. In other embodiments, thesections of top transverse rod 11 may be interconnected by various typesof connectors. In this way, the length of top transverse rod 11 may beadvantageously increased. Further, auxiliary top rods 13 may also betelescopic to increase the area within a shelter supported by frame 1 inan unfolded state, and may be directly folded when frame 1 is in afolded state, thus facilitating a small volume when the frame is folded.Top transverse rod 11 is shown telescoped in FIG. 4, whereas each ofauxiliary top rods 13 and vertical rods 15 is depicted in anun-telescoped (e.g., collapsed) state.

In this manner, the top transverse rod 11 of the frame is connected withtwo auxiliary top rods 13 that extend outward. Each auxiliary top rod 13is connected with a vertical rod 15 through the connector 14 whichallows auxiliary top rod 13 and vertical rod 15 to fold toward oneanother in a second direction to fold the frame into a folded state.Four vertical rods 15 support the top surface formed by auxiliary toprods 13 and top transverse rod 11. The shape of cloth 2 matches theshape of unfolded frame 1, and is supported by the unfolded frame. Thecloth is further stretched and unfolded in the frame.

The frame of the utility model is simple in structure, and is convenientand quick to fold. To fold frame 1 in one embodiment, vertical rods 15are firstly contracted, as shown in FIG. 3. Then the contracted verticalrods 15 are folded upward to lean against auxiliary top rods 13, asshown in FIG. 4. Finally, each group of vertical rods 15 and auxiliarytop rods 13 which have leaned against one other is folded to leanagainst the top transverse rod 11, as shown in FIG. 5. In anotherembodiment, top transverse rod 11 includes multiple sections andauxiliary top rods 13 include telescopic sleeves. The top transverse rod11 is contracted into a relatively short rod, and auxiliary top rods 13are also contracted. As a result, top transverse rod 11 and auxiliarytop rods 13 are minimized in volume when the frame is in a folded state.The frame in the folded state exhibits minimum volume, is able to bestored conveniently, and is easy to carry.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a frame 20 in accordance with anotherembodiment. Frame 20 is similar to frame 1, detailed above, withlike-identified elements being the same or similar. As in frame 1, frame20 includes first, second, third, and fourth spreading angles (depictedin FIG. 3 respectively at 31, 32, 33, and 34) formed between toptransverse rod 11 and respectively first, second, third, and fourthauxiliary top rods 13. Spreading angles are determined from theperspective of a top view (also referred to as a “plan view”) of frame 1or frame 20 in the unfolded state. Frame 20 differs from frame 1 in thatfirst spreading angle 31 and second angle 32 may be unequal, and thirdspreading angle 33 and fourth spreading angle 34 may be unequal. In oneembodiment, symmetry of the frame with respect to the elongated axis oftop transverse rod 11 may be achieved by making equal first and thirdspreading angles 31 and 33, and by making equal second and fourthspreading angles 32 and 34. Angles differing from one another by morethan 5% of the smaller angle are unequal. In one embodiment, three-wayconnector 21, depicted in FIG. 6, is disposed in place of three-wayconnector 12 to facilitate unequal spreading angles.

In the frame of the utility model, it is not necessary to arrange a topconnecting seat at the top surface of the frame. Instead, at least twoauxiliary top rods 13 which spread outward are connected at first andsecond ends of the top transverse rod 11 to form a supporting surface atthe top of the frame. Each auxiliary top rod 13 is connected with avertical rod 15 to form a standing support. The top transverse rod 11and the auxiliary top rods 13 can also increase the length and usablespace of a shelter supported by the frame. The auxiliary top rods 13with a spreading angle unfold the top cloth at first and second ends ofthe top transverse rod, so as to form a shelter possessing a certaininternal space. The frame of the utility model is simple in structure,and the usable area of a shelter supported by the frame can be increasedwithout adding supporting rods. In addition, the frame is simple instructure, easy to put up and fold, and convenient to use.

Although the invention has been described in connection with specificembodiments, variations of these embodiments will be obvious to those ofordinary skill in the art. For example, control structures and relatedcomponents for t, adjusting spreading angles, and the like can be usedto advantage, e.g., for other types of collapsible devices and shelterssuch as portable awnings, gazebos, screen houses, sunshades, umbrellas,strollers, and cribs. Other modifications and variations likewise fallwithin the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scopeof the claims should not be limited to the foregoing description.

Only those claims specifically reciting “means for” or “step for” shouldbe construed in the manner required under the sixth paragraph of 35U.S.C. §112.

What is claimed is:
 1. A frame for supporting a shelter, the framecomprising: a top transverse rod having a first end and a second end; afirst auxiliary top rod having first and second ends, the first endconnected to the first end of the top transverse rod; a second auxiliarytop rod having first and second ends, the first end connected to thefirst end of the top transverse rod; a third auxiliary top rod havingfirst and second ends, the first end connected to the second end of thetop transverse rod; a fourth auxiliary top rod having first and secondends, the first end connected to the second end of the top transverserod; first, second, third, and fourth spreading angles formed betweenthe top transverse rod and respectively the first, second, third, andfourth auxiliary top rods, wherein the first spreading angle and secondspreading angle are unequal; and first, second, third, and fourthvertical rods connected to the second ends respectively of the first,second, third, and fourth auxiliary top rods.
 2. The frame of claim 1,wherein the third spreading angle and the fourth spreading angle areunequal.
 3. The frame of claim 1, wherein the first spreading angle andthe third spreading angle are equal, and the second spreading angle andthe fourth spreading angle are equal.
 4. The frame of claim 1, whereinthe auxiliary top rods are telescopic.
 5. The frame of claim 1, whereinthe vertical rods are telescopic.
 6. The frame of claim 1, the framefurther comprising: a first connector disposed between the first end ofthe top transverse rod and the first ends of the first and secondauxiliary top rods; a second connector disposed between the second endof the top transverse rod and the first ends of the third and fourthauxiliary top rods; and third connectors each disposed between one ofthe vertical rods and a corresponding one of the auxiliary top rods. 7.The frame of claim 6, the first and second connectors allowing the toptransverse rod and the auxiliary top rods to fold toward one another inonly a first direction to fold the frame into a folded state.
 8. Theframe of claim 7, the third connectors allowing the vertical rods andthe auxiliary top rods to fold toward one another in only a seconddirection to fold the frame into the folded state.
 9. The frame of claim8, wherein the first and second directions are different.
 10. The frameof claim 1, wherein the top transverse rod is a multi-section rodcomprised of a first transverse section and a second transverse section.11. The frame of claim 10, further comprising a fourth connectordisposed between the first and second transverse sections.
 12. The frameof claim 10, wherein the top transverse rod is telescopic.
 13. The frameof claim 1 further comprising a tent cloth supported by the frame.
 14. Aframe for supporting a shelter, the frame comprising: a top transverserod having a first end and a second end; a first auxiliary top rodhaving first and second ends, the first end connected to the first endof the top transverse rod; a second auxiliary top rod having first andsecond ends, the first end connected to the first end of the toptransverse rod; a third auxiliary top rod having first and second ends,the first end connected to the second end of the top transverse rod; afourth auxiliary top rod having first and second ends, the first endconnected to the second end of the top transverse rod; first, second,third, and fourth spreading angles formed between the top transverse rodand respectively the first, second, third, and fourth auxiliary toprods; first, second, third, and fourth vertical rods connected to thesecond ends respectively of the first, second, third, and fourthauxiliary top rods, wherein the vertical rods are telescopic; a firstconnector disposed between the first end of the top transverse rod andthe first ends of the first and second auxiliary top rods; a secondconnector disposed between the second end of the top transverse rod andthe first ends of the third and fourth auxiliary top rods; and thirdconnectors each disposed between one of the vertical rods and acorresponding one of the auxiliary top rods.
 15. The frame of claim 14,wherein the top transverse rod is a multi-section rod comprised of afirst transverse section and a second transverse section.
 16. The frameof claim 15, further comprising a fourth connector disposed between thefirst and second transverse sections.
 17. The frame of claim 15, whereinthe top transverse rod is telescopic.
 18. The frame of claim 14, whereinthe auxiliary top rods are telescopic.
 19. The frame of claim 14, thefirst and second connectors allowing the top transverse rod and theauxiliary top rods to fold toward one another in only a first directionto fold the frame into a folded state.
 20. The frame of claim 19, thethird connectors allowing the vertical rods and the auxiliary top rodsto fold toward one another in only a second direction to fold the frameinto the folded state.
 21. The frame of claim 20, wherein the first andsecond directions are different.
 22. The frame of claim 14 furthercomprising a tent cloth supported by the frame.
 23. The frame of claim14 wherein the first spreading angle and the second spreading angle areunequal.
 24. The frame of claim 23 wherein the third spreading angle andthe fourth spreading angle are unequal.
 25. The frame of claim 14wherein the first spreading angle and the and third spreading angle areequal, and the second spreading angle and the fourth spreading angle areequal.